Denomination: Copper-alloy, AE22

Period: Classical and Hellenistic

Date: 85-65BC

Origin: Black Sea area

Condition: VF+

Obverse: Aegis (shield) with gorgoneion at centre

Reverse: Nike advancing right, holding wreath and palm branch, AMI-SOY (in Greek) across fields, monograms to left and right

Size and Weight: 22mm, 7.9g

References: Spink 3653 

Features and Provenance: The face on the shield is that of Medusa, one of the Gorgons. She was believed to have been so ugly, with her head full of snakes that anyone who looked at her directly was turned to stone.

Perseus, is heroically supposed to have used his shield as a mirror to decapitate Medusa and subsequently carry her head in a bag for use as a weapon. Finally he gave the head of Medusa it to Athena attached it to her shield, an aegis, and this is what is depicted upon this coin

On the reverse we have the goddess Nike, the personification of victory. She has wings and holds a palm leaf. As the peaceful messenger or Zeus, she would bestow wreaths of victory on the winners. She is also know as Victory or Victoria. 

Condition Summary. This varies with the age of coin and there are grades between

Uncirculated (U). As struck with no traces of wear

Extremely Fine (EF). Very slight traces of wear, all parts of legend etc present, visible and clear

Very Fine (VF). Some signs of wear on the higher parts of the relief, all parts of legend etc present, but maybe worn

Fine (F). Wear on the coin and parts of legend etc may be missing or not visible